Sortable multiple form



March 9, 1943. ZALKIND 2,313,285

SORTABLE MULTIPLE FORM Filed May C51, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l mitin 1N VENTOR.

Zawya/4 March 9, 1943. J, ZALKlND I 2,313,285

SORTABLE MULTIPLE FORM Filed May 31, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 9,1943

srArs oFFicr-L This invention relates to a system for sorting or separating sheets of printed forms of one kind from a pile of forms of a different kind and it is particularly adaptable for separating such multiple forms as the bound manifold books, the so-called snapout carbon forms.

This invention has also for its object the provision of forms suitable for use in the system, and means for selective separating of said forms. It is especially adapted to sorting sheets of paper or printed forms which are used in multiple forms interleaved with carbon or transfer sheets in which two or more copies of the same matter are made at the same time. In present practice, the person who makes these records does not have the time, at the time that such records are made, to sort the various sheets out into separate piles, so that all the copies are placed together and each set is piled indiscriminately on top of the other. These piles are then sortedout by hand; the person who sorts these sheets must thus handle each sheet of paper separately and must segregate each sheet individually into its proper pile. All this work is very slow and laborious.

With my invention, the sheets of one particular kind are sorted in such a manner that the sheets of forms of another kind are left within the pile stack while the first sheets are withdrawn from the stack.

Forms of the general type herein referred to are used in practically all usual manners of ways and under a wide variety of conditions, such as those which are found in the oflice, the factory, stores and shipping establishments. It is often the wish, for instance, to avoid handling carbon paper, as used with such forms. And again, carbon paper tends to soil forms of the kind referred to, especially during manipulation, therefore, a further and double purpose is involved in this invention, according to which, the formsmaybe untouched by hand while .being drawn from the pile or soiled, with the disclosure of my invention.

With the above indicated `objects and advantages in view, as well as others which will hereinafter appear, the invention resides in certain novel constructions, methods of operation, and arrangements of parts, the essential features of which are herein clearly described, and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a stack of forms constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a separated view in perspective of forms of Fig. 1, in which the members are spaced apart, for clarity, and with which operating pins or instruments are shown;

Fig. 3 is a bracketed top plan view of the forms of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are top plan views of sheets in which modifications over the vnrst named iigures appear;

Fig. 8 shows a business form with plural weakened lines therein;

Fig.'9 is an exploded view of a group oi forms in perspective, embodying another modification;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of another modied form. sheet;

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of a sheet selecting device having a base with sheets or forms thereon, and with holding selector pins;

Fig. 12 is a separated view oi a multiple socalled continuous-manifold or continuousform. These forms may consist of a great number of separate continuous sheets (in this case there are four such sheetsshown). Fig. 12 also shows the position of the holes and slots used for separating or sorting the forms, also, the perforations for tearing off the sheets from the rest of the continuous form.

Fig. 13 is a view showing the top sheet of the multiple continuous-form shown in Fig. 12. It shows the use of round perforations on both sides of the continuous form. These perforations are needed to register the forms when they are used in conjunction with a typewriter.

Fig. 14 is a separated view of a multiple form consisting of a plurality of sheets perforated and slotted and similar to the forms shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is showing the multiple continuousform of Fig. 12 as it appears when all the sheets of the form are put together and are ready for use.

Fig. 16 is a. View showing a multiple continuous- I form utilizing the slot and perforation arrangement of the forms shown in Fig. 14 in combination with the tear oi arrangement shown in Fig. 10.

Referring in detail to said drawings, individual forms 2l, 22, 23, 2li are removed from a group or stack, as shown in Fig. 1, thev stack having a binding 20, and perforated or weakened lines i9. The multiple forms of Figs. 1 to 3 are shown as illustrative, and other numbers of forms, more or less than four, may be used in a group or pack.

When the multiple forms are interleaved with carbon sheets, as is sometimes the case, these Sheets may be withdrawn with the binding, a1-

rations 28, 29.

though in other cases the carbon sheets, not shown, may be perforated in opposite margins,

'in the same manner as the forms, and then such carbon sheets may be .withdrawn selectively, in the same manner as said forms.

In the top sheet 2|, Figs. 1 to 3, is provided in its holding side, a slot 38 and perforations or apertures 21, 28, 29, and on the opposite or pulling side of said sheet transverse to said slot and apertures, is a marginal line of openings, consisting of an aperture 38, and slots 35, 33, 31.

The second sheet 22 is provided on its holding side with a perforation 28, a slot 39 and perfo- On its pulling side the sheet 22 has a slot 34 in line with the perforation 28, a slot 38, in line with the perforation 28, and a slot 31 on the transverse line of the perforation 29.

On the holding side of the third sheet 23, are perforations 28, 21, a slot 40, and the perforation 29. On itspulling side the sheet 23 has a slot 34, on the line o1' the perforation 28, a slot 35 /in line with` the perforation 21, the perforation 32 on the line of the slot 48, and the slot 31 in line with the perforation 29.

The bottom sheet 24 has in the margin of its holding side apertures 28, 21, 28, and a slot 4|, and in the opposite -margin of the sheet 24, are a slot 34, slots 35 and 38, as well as the aperture33, the latter being opposite the slot 4|.

During the selecting or sorting operation, all of the sheets are maintained entirely fiat and mutually engaged, so that lifting or disturbing any portion of a sheet, such as a margin. from its fiat engaging position, as differing from sorti ing operations heretofore practised, is unnecessary and not called for. In this Way, as an advantage of compact arrangement, a stack of sheets maybe placed upon a base, as of a machine, and immediately above the pack, or even contacting with the top member thereof, another part, such asa plate or bar of the mechanism, may be disposed, as hereinafter additionally brought out.

Referring to Fig. 2, as one or a primary instance of operation, when it is desired to pull out a sheet 2| from the pack, a holding pin 42 is placed in the pile through the slot 38 of said sheet, and through the perforations 26 of the sheets 22, 23, 24. A pulling pin 43 is placed in the pile through the perforation 38 of the sheet 2|, and through the slots 34 of the sheets 22, 23, 24. Upon moving the pin 43 transversely, the sheet 2| only is pulled out, because the other three sheets have slots therein and therefore remain in the pile.

The reason why the three sheets last mentioned remain in the pile is that they have therein apertures 21, 28, 29, in vwhich is the holding pin 42, and this pin is movable transversely because of the slots 34 in the other three sheets 22, 23, 24.

To pull out the sheet 22, the holding pin 42 is placed in the set of perforations 21 and slot 39, on the holding side of the sheets, and the pulling pin 431s inserted through the perforation 3| and through the set of slots 35. Since the slot 39 is on the holding side of the sheet 22, on this transverse line, and the perforation 3| being on the pulling side, when the pin-43 is moved transversely said latter sheet only is withdrawn.

By placing the holding pins in the apertures 28, 21, 29 of the sheet 23, which has a slot 48 and Aby using the drawing pin in' the-aperture'. 32 on the drawing side oi said line, the sheet." 23 may be withdrawn, said sheet 23 having on"v the drawing side the slots 34, 3-5, 31.

Likewise, the sheet 24, having on the drawing side of the fourth transverse linethe aperture 33, with the non-obstructing slot 4|I on the holding side of said line, may be withdrawn, since in said sheet, the slots u, as, as, are nonob structing, allowing it to come out. and the aperizsures 29, with vthe holding pin retain the sheets- The sheets or forms 2|, V22, 23, 24 may be pulled out in any other order than that given above.

The slots and perforations on one side or end of a sheet need not necessarily be on the same transverse lines with those on the opposite end.. nor is it necessary that the perforations on theV holding side be in the same order or sequence as the corresponding slots on the pulling side or vice versa.

In actual practice, many multiple forms having predetermined perforated and slotted sheets are stacked in a pile, and then, first, all the' sheets ofone kind, instead of Just one sheet asin the example given above, are withdrawn at one operation from the pile, after which all the other sheets of another kind are withdrawn, and so on until all the sheets of the different kinds in the pile are sorted.

In the alternative form of sheets, one of which is shown in Fig. 4, the holding perforations 44 and slots 45, in sheet 48, are along one edge, and the pulling perforation 48 and slots 41 are along an adjacent edge. 'Ihe slot 45 is shown inclined, because with the holding pin in it and the pulling pin in perforation 48, the latter pin must be moved in a, diagonal direction, relative to the rectangular form, as shown by the arrow, to pull out the sheet 48.

As in the alternative form shown in Fig. 5, the holding and pulling perforations and slots are at diagonally opposite comers of the sheet. Perforations 49 and slots 50 are at the holding corner, and slots 5| and perforation 52 are at the pulling corner.

In the alternative form shown in Figs. 6 and '7, tabs and cut-outs are used. Instead of using holes and slots on the pulling side, tabs such as those shown at 53 and 54 may be used as thumb-grips. Considering, by way of example, that the stack contains two forms, form 55 and form 58, when it is desired to pull out form 55 from the stack, a

, holding pin 42 is inserted through a perforation 51 and into the cutout 58, and the tab 53 is pulled upon. When it is desired to pull out the form 58, the holding pin 42 is placed into the perforation 59 and into the cutout 80, and then the tab 54 is pulled upon. Instead of pulling uponthe tabs by gripping them, they can be provided with perforations 8| and 82, and a pulling pin 43 inserted into said perforations for the withdrawal of the forms.

In Fig. 8, a form is used similar to that shown in Fig. 3, sheet 24, as far as the slots and perforations are concerned, but with the addition of weakening lines 83, so that after the forms are sorted from a stack, the portions with the slots'` and perforations can be torn off.

The stack of forms shown in Fig. 9 embody the same principles as those already described, butv p these forms must be removed in a predetermined` on the third transverse line, on the holding side order. The advantage of this arrangement is that' all o1' the slots and perforations may be locatedrll v l18, on the holding at or near the top edge, the bottom edge, along some unused line, or at any other convenient location, leaving practically the full width, or length of the sheet for recording, writing or other uses. In the stack, the bottom form 56 must ilrst be removed, then the third form 8.5. then the second form 68 and lastly the top form 61.

The bottom form 64 is provided with a perforation 68 on its pulling side, and with a slot 69 on its holding side. Form 85 is' provided with a perforation just inside of and on a line with a slot 1i on its'pulling side, and with a perforation 12 just inside of and on a linewith a slot 13. on its holding side. Wh'en the forms it and 65 are lined up, the slot 1I extends over the perforation 68, and the perforation 12 comes ov'er the in.- ner end of the slot 68. Form 86 is provided with a perforation 14 just inside of and in line with a slot, 15. on the pulling side, and with perforation-s 16 and 11, just inside o f andin line with a slot side. When the forms 6ft, 35 and 56 are lined up, the slot 15 comes over the perforations 58 and 1l and slot l1 1 the perforation 16 and slot 18 come'over the slot 13, and the slot i8, and perforation 11 come over perforation 12, and slot 69.

The form 81 is provided with a perforation 19 just inside of and in line with a long slot 88, on its pulling side, and with 'perforations 8l, 82 and 83 in a transverse line on its holding side. When the forms 64,-65, 66 and 51 are lined up in a. pile. the slot 88 comes over the perforations 58, I0 and 14, the slots 1| and 15l and perforation 8| comes over the slots 18. 18'and 88; the perforation 82 comes over perforation 16 and slots 13 and i9, and the perforation 83 comes over the perforations 11 and 12 and slot 69.

When it is desired to separate the stack shown in Fig. 9, a holding pin. such as pin 42, Fig. 2. is placed into the perforations 83, 11, 12 and slot 68, and a pulling pin or rod such as pin 43, is inserted into perforation 68, passing through slots 88, 15 and 1|. Moving the pulling pin now transversely to the right withdraws form 64. The next form to be removed of the three remaining forms is form 65. The holding pin is inserted through perforations 82, 18 and the slot "I3, and the pulling pin is inserted into perforation 10, passing through the slots 80 and 15. Pulling transversely on the pulling pin removes form 65. The next fonn to be removed, of the two remaining forms, is form 86. The holding pin is inserted through perforation 8l and slot 18 and the pulling pin is inserted into perforation 14, passing through the slot 88. A transverse motion of the pulling pin now removes form Si.

To sort the pile of sheets by simple manually operated pins, particularly where a large pile is involved, with consequent diiilculty in maintaining accurate register of all the sheets, in order to be able to make proper use of the perforations and slots, would be less convenient than to use a selector mechanism such as illustrated in Fig. 1l.

Referring to Fig. 12, it illustrates an additional kind of multiple for-m, the so-called multiple continuous-form or the multiple "continuous-manifol These forms when printed are arranged into long ribbon like formations and may consist of any number of separate individual sheets. After these continuous forms are assembled together they are put through the typewriter, with carbon paper between the sheets so that all the copies read alike. Later on the typewritten forms are torn oiI the rest of the continuous form. The

forms shown in Fig. 12 are slotted and perforated the continuous-form.

in the same manner as the forms shown in Fig. 3. The for-m 21a has'slots and perforations similar to the form shown in Fig. 3. Likewise the form 22a of Fig. .12 has the same arrangement of holes and slots as those of form 22 and so on up to the form 24a of Fig. 12, and form 24 of Fig. 3. Fig. 12 also shows that each separate sheet or -bill is separated from the next bill through a perforated line 30m. This is needed to facilitate the tearing oil? of the already printed forms from the rest of The perforations 30x are arranged right next to theslots and holes of the forms. When the separate sheets of the forms are torn oi the' rest of the continuousform they look just like the forms shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 13 there is shown a form similar to the one shown in Fig. 12. In this case two rows of round holes 32x are provided on both sides on the long edge margin of the form. These holes serve to register with similar holes provided on the other forms of the continuous set. This arrangement is very practical when the form is used in conjinction with the typewriter or printing press e c.

In Fig. 14 there is shown an additional modification of the sheet form as shown in Fig. 3. In this case instead of providing equally spaced slots and perforations on all the sheets the first and topmost sheet ZIJ: has only one slot 38 and one perforation 30. The second sheet 22a: has the slots 39 and 34 and the perforations 28 and 3l. The third sheet has the perforations 26, 21, 29 and the slots 34, 35 and 4|J.` Thefourth and last sheet has the perforations 26, 21, 28, 33 and the slots 34, 35, 36 and 4I. It can be seen that these forms are very much like the forms shown in Fig.

' 3 only that for better appearance the top sheet has only one hole and one perforation. In this case each next sheet has an extra slot and perforation, etc. It is understood that the continuous forms as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 can be provided also with 'similar arrangement of slots and perforations as shown in Fig. 14. These slots and perforations can be punched while the continuous forms are being printed, after printing or in any other manner.

In Fig. 15 `is shown a perspective view of the continuous form of Fig. 12 as it looks after being assembled together. The form 21a is the topmost. Then comes the form 22a, 23a and finally the form 24a. It is understood that more than four forms can be provided.

In addition it can be seen that the perforations 31x are located at the folding edge of the continuous-form shown in Fig. 15 and that the slots and holes are located right next to the folding edge. After the forms are typewritten upon and are torn oi the rest of the continuousform. they will look just like the forms shown in Fig; 3. After the forms are torn off the rest of the "continuous-form they are piled into stacks and sorted or separated in the usual manner as it has been described for the forms shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the selector mechanism as shown in Fig. 11, it consists of a base plate 84 which is supported upon legs 85 and 86. An upright memof! the pile. The -pln 42a is similar to .the pulling pin 42 shown in Fig. 2. The action of separating the sheets from .the pile is exactly the same as described for Figs. 2 and 3'.

In Fig. 10. is shown another modification of the sheet 2| shown in Fig. 3. In this case the sheet is provided only with perforations 90, 9|, 92 and 93 on its right side and with perforations 94, 95, 96 and 91 on its left side. In place of slots there is provided a num-ber of incisions 98, located at the edge of the sheetyfacing away from the perforations 9|, 92, 93, 94 and 95. The incisions 98 weaken .the paper conjoining the perforation so that when the pin 42 is forced against the perforation the paper splits open and allows the passage of the pin. It is understood that many other kinds of incisions from :the one shown in the drawings can be used. 'Ihese incisions are punched to the form at the time the form is printed or thereafter but they must be of the kind not visible. .This arrangement is used in cases where it is required to eliminate the use of slots and when the edge of the sheet has to appear unbroken before it is used.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention and parts of the improvements may be used without others.

Now having described my invention what I claim is:

l. A continuous form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said elongated strip being subdivided into a plurality of separate sheets, perforations located upon the subdivisions aforesaid, and a number of slots and apertures located adjacent and on either side of said perforations, the slots and apertures of the one side of perforations being in line with the slots and apertures upon the other side of the perforations aforesaid.

2. A continuous form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said elongated strip being sub-A divided into a plurality of separate sheets by means of perforations, a number of slots and apertures located adjacent and from either side of said perforations, said slots contacting said perforations while said apertures located at a distance away from the perforations aforesaid.

3. A continuous form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said elongated strip being subdivided into a plurality ofv separate sheets by means of a perforated line, a number of slots and apertures located adjacent on either side of said perforated line, said slots contacting said line while said apertures located at a distance away from said line, said slots and apertures upon one side of said line being in alignment with the slots and apertures located upon the other side of the perforated line aforesaid.

- 4. A continuous form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said elongated strip being subdivided into a plurality of separate sheets by means of a perforated line, a number of slots and apertures located upon the sheets adjacent and on either side of said perforated line, the slots of said sheets contacting said line while the apertures of said sheets located at a distance away from said line, the slots and apertures of one sheet being in alignment with the slots and apertures of the other sheet.

5. A form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said strip being subdivided by me of perforated lines into continuous separate sheets, a plurality of slots and apertures being located upon the sheets on either side of said perforated lines, said slots and apertures being adjacent to said line, said slots contacting said linewhile said apertures being located at a distance away from said line, the slots and apertures of the sheet located on one side of said line being in alignment with the slots and perforations located upon the sheet on the other side of the perforated line aforesaid.

6. A continuous form comprising an elongated strip of paper, said strip being subdivided by means of perforated lines into a row of separate sheets, a vnumber of similar elongated sheets of paper and carbons beinginterposed and located below said strip, slots and apertures located upon said interposed sheets of paper and carbons, said slots and apertures being adjacent to said perforated lines, the slots and apertures upon the interposed sheets and carbons on one side of said line being in alignment with the slots and apertures of the interposed sheets andl carbons on the other side of said line.

7. A continuous form comprising elongated strips of paper interposed with carbons, said strips being subdivided by means of perforated lines into a row of separate sheets, a plurality of slots and apertures being located adjacent said perforated lines and from either side thereof, the slots and apertures located on one side of the perforated lines being in alignment with the slots and apertures located on the other side of said lines.

8. A continuous form comprising elongated strips of paper interposed with carbons and having holes located upon the margins of said strip, said strips being subdivided by means of perforation lines into a row of separate sheets, a plurality of slots and apertures being located adjacent and on either side of said perforated lines, the slots and apertures of the sheets located upon one side of said lines being in alignment with the slots and perforations upon the sheets on the other side of said lines.

9. A continuous form comprising elongated strips of paper interposed with carbons, said strips being subdivided by means of perforation lines into a row of separate sheets, apertures located upon the margins of said sheets, V shaped incisions included upon said forms and located adjacent said apertures, said incisions facing away from said apertures towards the marginal edge of the form aforesaid.

JOSEPH ZALKIND. 

